Hello Hawk,
The price US $ 850 is only for the Automatic overhaul.
When we do the overhaul we do all neccesary performens work.
Because this work is difficult we only do it in our shop.
We cannot send it out .Every Transmission have differnt clearence
and in order to get the best performance out of it we have to measure
all parts in front of us.And then we fit the transmission and the clutches
to shift  in the optimal range with less slip .

You mention that you  have some mechanics out there
with lots of Automatic transmission experience.
I have some problems with all the old guys
they work since ever with transmissions.
I'm sure there are a lot of
them ,they know all there stuff about transmissions.
I'm only have the knowlege about VW/Audi (ZF) transmissions.
I try to get the best performance out of this transmissions.

Sincerely Detlev
Vanagon Projekt
456 Franklin Lane
Livermore , CA 94550